The newly created subsidiary of Landgard UK, Verde Horticulture, has been acquired by the Butters Group to create a new £70 million plant, bulb and flower business.
The business will continue to trade independently from its garden centre sites in Hampshire and West Sussex, but will utilise Butters' expertise in IT and sourcing to 'substantially grow the business within the UK market'.Verde Horticulture - which was previously the UK arm of German flower and fresh produce supplier Landgard - recently went through a management buyout led by former commercial director Jim Floor.
'This tie in with Butters will enable Verde to offer a wider range of products and services to its customers and in particular we see opportunities in bulbs and houseplants which will ensure the business has a less seasonal focus,' said Floor, who will retain his role as commercial director at Verde.
Meanwhile,Andy Coaten, managing director at Butters, is upbeat about the opportunities the deal offers and says it will create the 'largest plant business in the UK market'.
He concluded: 'The Butters and Landgard businesses are largely complementary and our combined expertise will enable us to better serve the needs of our customers and suppliers.'
